Surprise, surprise. One half of the 2014 NBA Finals has been set, and the representative of the Eastern Conference is as obvious as it is redundant.
The Miami Heat will compete for a third consecutive championship.
The Eastern Conference Finals continued on Friday, May 30 with the Heat playing host to the Indiana Pacers. Miami led the series 3-2, but Indiana won Game 5 and had the closest thing to momentum in a series marred by sloppy basketball and lopsided outcomes.
Here’s how Game 6 transpired in Miami.
1. Chris Bosh and LeBron James both scored 25 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 117-92 decimation of the Indiana Pacers. It was a lopsided affair from start-to-finish, with Indiana putting on yet another disappointing performance in the face of defeat.
The Heat advance with a 4-2 series win.
2. The Heat are the first team since the Boston Celtics between 1984 and 1987 to reach the NBA Finals in four consecutive seasons.
3. LeBron joins Magic Johnson as the only players in NBA history to win at least 100 playoff games before the age of 30.
4. Miami has won 12 consecutive postseason games following a loss.
5. Paul George and David West combined for 45 points on 16-of-29 shooting. The rest of the Pacers tallied 47 points on 16-of-40 shooting from the field.
Bonus Fact: The last team to complete a three-peat was the 2002 Los Angeles Lakers. Miami will have the chance to do it in 2014.